Air washing and cleaning apparatus



Oct. 24, 1950 R. A. LHOTA 2,527,015

AIR WASHING AND CLEANING APPARATUS Filed June 7, 1945 INVENTOR 7903877542 0/62 ATTORN YS Patented Oct. 24, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AIR WASHING'AND CLEANING APPARATUS Robert A. -Lhota, Detroit, Mich, I

' Application'June 7, 1945, SerialNo; 598,002

The present invention relates' to improvements in air conditioning, and more-particularly, ro an washing and cleaning apparatus therefor.

The primary object of the invention isI-to provide an air washing and cleaning apparatus which is particularly applicable to industrial use for removing impurities and cdoriferous matter from the air as well as dirt and dust particles therefrom, "whereby air may be recirculated to the building or enclosure in such acondition as to insure the comfort of the occupants.

Another object of the invention is to Provide an air cleaning and washing apparatus in which the air from the building or enclosure is passed through a spray of water which has a relatively large surface area and is arranged in such a manner as to provide a series of water curtains through which the air must pass before being returned to the building or enclosure to thereby insure complete cleansing of the air and the removal of dirt and dust particles therefrom.

Another object of the invention is to provide an air washing and cleaning apparatus for -industrial use which is provided with a cone-shaped :impeller having spirally arranged vanes, the lower ends of which are adapted to be immersed in liquid or water so that upon rotation of the cone, the water will be elevated and directed outwardly by a flange arranged in overhangingrelation with the upper end of the cone to thereby direct a spray of liquid or water radially into -engagement with a baffle wall, whereupon the'par ticles of liquid or water thus sprayed will 'fall by gravity and provide another spray curtain through which the air will pass during circulation through the air washing and cleaning apparatus.

Another objectof the invention is to provide an air washing and cleaning apparatus in'which a series of baffles are arranged in the bottom of the washer tank and disposed tangentially or radially with respect to the cone-shaped impeller to prevent the surface of the liquid or water-in the tank from assuming a parabolic shape when the impeller is rotated, thereby insuring the lower end of the impeller being immersed and providing a continuous liquid flow upwardly.

Another "object "of the invention is to'provid'e an air washing and cleaning apparatus in which all of the parts are compactly contained in a single casing as a unit with the air inlets and outlets arranged tangentially so that a swirling motion will be imparted to the air as it passes through the vertical and horizontal water spray curtains.

iz-ciaims (c1. 261+-91-) Another object of the invention is .to provide an air washing and cleaning apparatus in which a'reticulated screening member is provided and extends from the bafile wall against which .the water or liquid is radially directed to a position therebelow forsbeingwsubmerged in the washing or cleaning liquid :to further insure the removal of dust and dirt particles from the air and thereby thoroughly clean the air.

Another object. of the invention is to provide a series of istaggered baffles in the upper portion of the washing andcleaning apparatus arranged in the path of the air flow so as to remove particles or grains of water from the air and prevent said particles of water from being drawn upwardly in to the exhaust or circulating fan.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the course of the following 'descriptioncf the accompanying drawing, wherein: a

Figure 1 -'is avertical cross-sectional view of the air washing and cleaning apparatus showing the general arrangement and the direction of the air current while passing through the'air cleaning apparatus "for-the removal ofdust par ticles or other foreign mattertherefrom;

Figure "2 is "a horizontal cross-sectional view taken-on line 2- 2 of Figure 1 looking in the direction oif :the arrows and illustrating the centrifugal air .fan and the manner in which "the same'is arranged on the casing of the .air wash ing'and cleaning apparatus; and

Figure o is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken .on the irregular line 33 of Figure '1 looking in the direction of the arrows and illustrat ing the cone-shaped impellefand the arrangement of thespirally shaped vanes thereon as well as thetangentially arranged baflles for .preventingswirling motionof the liquid in the lower portion of the casing when the impeller is r.otated. I

In theidrawing, wherein for the purpose of iilustrating the invention .like reference characters will be employed to :designate like parts throughout, the reference character 5 will gen erally. be employed to indicate the casing of the air washingand acleaning apparatus which com-. prises :a circular housingiwall t6 providedsat the lower 'end with a bottom wall I. An air inlet conduit 8 is connected to the upper end of the casing Sand communicates with the interior of theicasing:through an'opening 1-0. The air conduit 8 is arranged tangentially with respect-"t0 the-"casing so that air drawn therein will be rotated and be given a swirling motion to further insure separation of foreign particles from the air such as dirt and dust.

The casing is closed at its upper end by a cover I I havin a marginal flange l2 which is seated within the open upper end of the casing 5 and is held in place by retaining screws I3 arranged at equidistantly spaced circumferential points. Spaced inwardly from the marginal flange I2 is an annular depending flange I4 to which is secured the upper end of a cylindrical baflle wall I5 by means of a series of screws or the like as at I6. drical baille wall I5 is provided with a reticulated screening baffle I1 which is held in place by the lower end of the cylindrical baffle I5. 'The reticulated r ening baflle I1 is spaced from the bottom wall I of the casing 5 as shown in Figure 1, and may be slotted for beingreceivedon a series of tangentially arranged baffle plates I9 which interconnect the inner surface of the cylindrical wall 6 of the bottom wall or floor I and are intended to prevent the liquid or water W in the container or casing 5 from swirling so that the upper portion or surface will not assume a parabolic shape and cause the center thereof to recede from the impeller, which will be presently described. An inclined annular baflle is mounted in the cylindrical baffle I5 and is provided with a central openin 2| for permitting air flow therethrough in the direction of the arrows.

Mounted on the top wall or cover II is a fan casing 23 which is formed with a volute casing wall 24 and said casing is providedwith a series of lugs 25 for receiving machine screws or the like 26 so that the casing .23 may be secured to the top wall or cover II and form in conjunction therewith a centrifugal fan chamber. A central opening 21 is provided inthe top wall or cover II of the casing to provide asuction opening for the fan casing 23 and a discharge jet or conduit 28 is formed integral with the casing 23 as a portion of thevolute casing wall 24 to facilitate discharge of the air after it has been cleaned or washed by the cleaning and washing apparatus. An electric motor .30 is mounted on the fan casin 23 and has its armature shaft 3| extending through a suitable opening therein as at 32. A centrifugal fan disc 33 is mounted on the armature shaft and is provided with a series of arcuately curved vanes 34 for drawing air through the suction openin 21 of the fan casing and discharging the same through the discharge nozzle 28. A bearing extension 34 is mounted in the opening 21 and braced by suitable struts to the cover II and secured thereto is a conical-shaped baflle member 35 arranged above and in spaced relationfrom the conical-shaped baflle member 20 in the cylindrical baille I5. The armature shaft 3I projects a considerable distance downwardly within the casing 5 and has secured to the lower end thereof a cone-shaped hub 36 which is provided on its peripheral surface with a series of spirally arranged blades orvanes 31. ,The lower portion of the cone-shaped hub 351s adapted to be immersed in the water W (Figure 1) so as to elevate the water in the direction of the arrows and as shown in Figural, the lower end of each of the spiral blades or vanes 31-is bent abruptly in the direction of rotation as at 38 to scoop up the water W and assist in elevat- The lower end of the cylin 7 4 ing the same alon the peripheral surface of the cone-shaped hub 36 between the vanes 31.

The upper end of the cone-shaped hub 36 is provided with a radially extendin flange 39 which has its free edge bent slightly downwardly as at 40 so as to direct the water both radially and downwardly as indicated by the arrows in Figure 1. A slight space is provided between the upper ends of the vanes or blades 31 and the disc-like flange 39 on the. cone-shaped hub 36 so as to permit the liquid or water which has been elevated to move in a radial direction and thence slightly downwardly.

- The cylindrical container 5 is provided with a filler spout 4| having a cap closure 42 for facilitating filling the casing 5 to a predetermined level or height so that the lower end of the reticulated screen I1 will be submerged as will also be the cone-shaped impeller and the lower ends of the impeller blades 31. An outlet 43 is provided, in the bottom wall or floor I of the casing 5 and is adapted tobe closed by a screw cap 44 or the like when the air cleaning and washing apparatus is in operation. The electric motor 30 may be supplied with electric current froma, domestic source through a supply cable 45 having a plu on its free end which may be inserted in an outlet socket.

For consideration of the operation of the invention it will be assumed that the casing or housing 5 has been filled with water W to a predetermined liquid level and that the motor 30 has been energized by electrically connecting the cable 45 to a suitable source of electric energy so as to cause rotation of the armature shaft 3I and likewise rotation of the centrifugal fan disc 33 and cone-shaped hub 36 of the impeller. As the disc 33 of the centrifugal fan and cone 36 of the impeller are rotated, air is drawn inwardly through the tangential inlet opening 8 so as to swirl in a spiral path downward through the annular space between the outer housing wall 6 and inner cylindrical bafiie I5. Thus the air will finally find its way to the lower end of the cylindrical bafile I5 and will pass in the direction of the arrows through the reticulated screen I! and upwardly. Due to this spiral swirling or vortex action of theair, the coarser dust particles therein are thrown outward by centrifugal force against the. housing wall It and-drop by gravity directly into the water. The air passing through the screen I! has been thus freed of its coarser dust particles, leaving only fine dust particles to be removed by'the water sprays. Simultaneously, the water W is elevated by the impeller by reason ofthe blades 31 picking the water up.at the lower ends thereof 38 so that the water will travel upwardlyover the surface of the cone-shaped hub 36 ,and rwill be directed outwardly in a radial fashion in engagement with the cylindrical baflle wall "I5. The water particles drop by gravity along the inner surface of the lower end of the cylindrical bafile I5 and maintain the reticulated screen IT in a wetted condition. Thus, air passing through the screen U will be cleaned by being passed through the screen I1 and the vertical cylindrical curtain of water particles falling from the lower end of the cylindrical baflle wall I5. Asthe air passes upwardly, between the conical baflles 20 and 35, it passes through the radial curtain wall created by the water being thrown by centrifugal force from the disc 39to the cylindricalbaiile wall I5. The air then passes inthe direction of the arrows upwal' dly through the space within the cylindrical baflle wall I5 and enters the centrifugal fan casing 23 through the suction opening 21 thereof in the top or cover wall ll of the casing 5. The fan impeller disc 33 is rotated simultaneously to cause the air to be discharged through the discharge nozzle 28 of the fan casing 23. The conical baflles and 35 are arranged so as to intercept particles of moisture carried upwardly with the air and so that said particles will drain downwardly to the bottom of the casing 5. During rotation of the impeller or cone-shaped hub 36 and spiral vanes or blades 31, the baifies 19 in the lower portion of the casing will prevent the surface of the water from assuming a parabolic shape and receding from the impeller cone 36 and blades 31. Thus, a constant liquid supply is furnished to the lower end of the impeller and the same is continually immersed in the liquid or water W in the lower end of the casing 5.

Obviously, the air washing and cleaning device may be used for humidifying or rehumidifying air by regulating the temperature of the water W relative to the temperature of the incoming air, and if the device is used as a humidifying apparatus, it will also operate to clean the air as well as wash the same. When the device is used as a dehumidifying apparatus, the liquid W may be recirculated and properly cooled below the dew point of air being circulated.

It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred embodiment thereof and that various changes may be made in the shape, size and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

What I claim is:

1. An air washing and cleaning apparatus comprising a casing having spaced outer and inner walls defining an air intake chamber encircling said inner wall and having an air intake passageway in the upper portion thereof, a liquid reservoir arranged in the lower portion of said casing, said inner wall terminating above the liquid level in said reservoir and surrounding a spray chamber therein, a foraminated screening partition extending from said inner wall downwardly below the liquid level in said reservoir, a shaft rotatably mountedwithin said spray chamber,

a liquid-lifting impeller drivingly mounted on said shaft and having a rotary spray ejector at the upper portion thereof adapted to expel a lateral spray curtain outwardly therefrom, a suction fan connected to exhaust air from the upper portion of said spray chamber and drivingly mounted on said shaft, a plurality of longitudinallyspaced, laterally-overlapping baffles of approximately conical form disposed between said spray ejector and said fan, one of said bafiles extending inwardly from said inner wall and another baffle extending outwardly from the central portion of said chamber, and a motor drivingly connected to said shaft for rotating said fan, said outwardly extending central bafile and said impeller whereby to draw said air downwardly through said air intake chamber, inwardly through said screening partition and the water descending thereon and upwardly through said spray curtain to said fan.

2. An air washing and cleaning apparatus comprising a casing having spaced outer and inner walls defining an air intake chamber encircling said inner wall and having an air intake passageway in the upper portion thereof, a liquid reservoir arranged in the lower portion of said casing, said inner wall terminating above the liquid level in said reservoir and surrounding a spray chamber therein, a foraminated screening partition extending from said inner wall downwardly below the liquid level in said reservoir, a shaft rotatably mounted within said spray chamber, a liquid-lifting impeller drivingly mounted on said shaft and having a rotary spray ejector at the upper portion thereof adapted to expel a lateral spray curtain outwardly therefrom, a suction fan connected to exhaust air from the upper portion of said spray chamber and drivingly mounted on said shaft, an annular downwardly-directed marginally-disposed baflle of approximately conical form secured to said inner wall within said spray chamber between said spray ejector and said fan and having a central opening therein, a downwardly-directed centrally-disposed baffle of approximately conical form drivingly mounted on said shaft and disposed in said spray chamber between said annular baflie and said fan in laterally-overlapping longitudinally-spaced relationship with said central opening of said annular bafiie, one of said baflies extending inwardly from said inner wall and another oaflle extending outwardly from the central portion of said chamber, and a motor drivingly connected to said shaft for rotating said fan, said conical baffle and said impeller whereby to draw said air downwardly through said air intake chamber, inwardly through said screening partition and the water descending thereon and upwardly through said spray curtain to said fan.

ROBERT A. LHO'IA.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,459,442 Cutler June 19, 1923 1,841,556 Stelz Jan. 19, 1932 1,894,864 Hall Jan. 17, 1933 1,992,762 Pease Feb. 26, 1935 2,087,219 Dorfan July 13, 1937 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 12,151 Great Britain May 19, 1930 331,219 Great Britain June 25, 1930 

